• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

'Idol' Juggernaut Shows Signs of Slowing

Posted on: Monday, 21 April 2008, 15:00 CDT

U.S. viewers may be getting the so-called seven-year itch when it comes to FOX TV's hit series American Idol, ratings indicate.

Overall ratings are down 7 percent compared to last year and although 29.2 million viewers is nothing to sneeze at, Nielsen Media Research figures indicate the show has suffered a surprising loss of young fans and women between the ages of 18-34, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

Nearly one-fifth of those female viewers and one-fifth of viewers between 2 and 11 years old have turned off the talent competition in its seventh year, the figures show.

Last week's performance show was Idol's lowest rated in five years and the elimination show the following night drew its weakest audience between the ages of 18 and 34 since 2002, the Times said.

Although the Times speculated Idol could be suffering show fatigue, Fox's Preston Beckman noted the reality competition has defied the odds.

'American Idol' has held up better than any other show, scripted or unscripted, on television, he said.

Source: United Press International

More News in this Category